Walgreens To Open Doctors' Offices In 500-700 Stores

DEERFIELD, IL — In what the company and industry experts are calling a first, Walgreens Boots Alliance announced Wednesday it will be opening physician-led primary care clinics in 500-700 of its stores over the next five years. The Deerfield-based company, in partnership with VillageMD (Chicago), plans to open the "Village Medical at Walgreens" clinics in more than 30 U.S. markets with the intent to build hundreds more thereafter, according to a press release.

"This rollout is a major advancement of one of Walgreens Boots Alliance's four key strategic priorities, Creating Neighborhood Health Destinations," said Stefano Pessina, executive vice chairman and CEO, Walgreens Boots Alliance, in the release. "These clinics at our conveniently located stores are a significant step forward in creating the pharmacy of the future, meeting many essential health needs all under one roof as well as through other channels."

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The clinics will "uniquely integrate the pharmacist as a critical member of VillageMD's multi-disciplinary team to deliver the very best healthcare to patients," and will be staffed by more than 3,600 primary care providers, who will be recruited by VillageMD.

VillageMD and Walgreens also recently announced the availability of Village Medical telehealth providers on Walgreens Find Care, which is an online platform that connects patients with a wide range of health services. Under the terms of the new agreement, WBA will invest $1 billion in equity and convertible debt in VillageMD over the next three years, according to the release.

Of WBA’s investment, 80 percent will be used by VillageMD to fund the opening of the clinics and build the partnership, including integration with Walgreens digital assets. It is anticipated, assuming full conversion of the debt, that WBA will hold an approximately 30 percent ownership interest in VillageMD at the completion of the investment, according to the release.

The clinics will accept a wide range of health insurance options, and offer comprehensive primary care across a broad range of physician services, according to the release. Additionally, 24/7 care will be available via telehealth and at-home visits. More than 50 percent will be located in Health Professional Shortage Areas and Medically Underserved Areas/Populations, as designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The rollout follows a trial with five in-store clinics in the Houston, Texas area, which according to the company, "produced very strong results after opening last November including high patient satisfaction, with Net Promoter Scores over 90."

Walgreens Boots Alliance is the parent company of Walgreens, Boots and a number of pharmaceutical, manufacturing, wholesale and distribution companies. Walgreens Boot Alliance oversees 9,277 Walgreens and Duane Reed stores in the U.S.

Most of the clinics will be approximately 3,330-square-feet each, with some as large as 9,000-square-feet, according to the release. The company states the clinics "will optimize existing space in the store, which will also still provide a vast range of retail products to customers."

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